Exhibitors report good business at Silmo

Visitor attendance at the 42nd annual Silmo optical exhibition in Paris remained steady despite tough market conditions and the non-attendance of regular exhibitors such as Safilo, (Optician, News, October 24).

Of a total of 42,234 visitors, a decrease of 435 on the previous year, 52 per cent were from outside France. The change of dates from Thursday to Friday also ensured a more balanced number of attendees on each day than in previous years.

Business was as good as or better than last year according to a number of exhibitors spoken to by Optician.

'Our stand is busier than ever and sales are going up all the time,' said Xavier Giammattei, marketing manager of fragrances and eyewear at Cartier UK. Tom Davies, who was at the show launching TD Tom Davies' bespoke block titanium option, commented: 'I've done five Silmo shows before, but not done much French business. This year I've opened French accounts and had sales reps wanting to do business.'